FNB Classic to be remembered
On Saturday, 19 May, it was St Alban's turn to host the annual St Alban's v Menlopark FNB Classic Clash again.
What was supposed to be a cold winter's day, turned out to be a warm sunny mid-May winter's day. Not only was it hot and sunny, but the hospitality from the host was enough to keep everyone present warm from inside as well.
The good neighbourliness amongst these two neighbouring schools once again showed that good, hard, competitive schools rugby can create friendship for life.
At junior level, Menlopark proved to be a very strong competitor with eight out of eight wins. Although St Alban's boys gave a good fight on all junior levels, it was the Menlopark boys who had the upperhand on this occasion.
At senior level, with the open teams, St Alban's gave much better resistance and most games went to the brink to determine a winner, with St Alban's third team proving to be just too strong for Menlopark and they did St Alban's proud with their win over Menlopark's third team.
The two first teams was evenly determined to walk away as winners and kept all spectators on the edge of their seats throughout the entire game.
At the half-time score on 16-9 in Menlo's favour. It was still anybody's game to take.
In the second half, Menlo was the more focused and disciplined team and pulled this one through with a 35-23 win over St Alban's.
Both teams gave spectators a showcase of good rugby with Jack Sachane and TT Monareng scoring St Alban's tries and TT Monareng also showed good skill with the boot with both conversions successful as well as knocking over two of his three Penalty opportunities.
Dean de Winnaar (captain) and Julian Coetzee scored Menlopark's tries and Stevie du Toit also showed his skills with the boot with both conversions and seven successful penalty kicks.
This First team's game was a showcase of what schools rugby could and should be all about.
We are thankful for yet another opportunity for good, hard, clean rugby, because of First National Bank's involvement in Schools rugby.
Until next year, it's good-bye and thank you again for St Alban's hospitality.
The scorers:
For St Alban's:
Tries: Thiamo Monareng 2
Cons: Monareng 2
Pens: Monareng 3
For Menlopark:
Tries: Dean de Winnaar, Julian Coetzee
Cons: Stevie du Toit 2
Pens: Du Toit 7
The teams:
St Alban's: 15 Ismael Agbessi, 14 Thiamo Monareng, 13 Kwanele Maktini, 12 Matthew Godridge,11 Jose Shaw, 10 Mark Erasmus, 9 Marc Knowles, 8 Abonglie Nonkontwana, 7 Michael Chimbila, 6 Josh Price, 5 Dalyn Krause, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Patrick Dowling, 2 Nick Clarke, 1 Jason Landman.
Menlopark: 15 Marthinus Plilippus Snyman, 14 Sean Smit, 13 Gerhard Smit Hefer, 12 Hermanus Gerhardus de Klerk, 11 Julian Coetzee, 10 Stefan du Toit, 9 Stiaan Swan, 8 Marthinus Gerhardus Coetzee, 7 Werner Henning, 6 Dean de Winnaar, 5 Armand de Beer, 4 Whestley Alan Mcmenamin, 3 Steenkamp, 2 Dewald Gys Vlok, 1 Shaun Kilian.
Replacements: 16 Willem Joachim Ludike, 17 Wybren Conrad Hiemstra, 18 Pieter-Barry Kotze, 19 Iaan Roelofse, 20 Adrian Louis Storm, 21 Bingle Kruger Cloete, 22 Abel Mokhiane, 23 Riaan Pont 24 Juan Olivier.
Coaches: Dean van der Watt, Manie Geldhuysen
All results from Saturday:
First XV: Menlopark won 35-23
Second XV: Menlopark won31-0
Third XV: St Alban's won 8-7
Fourth XV: Menlopark won 15-10
Fifth XV: Menlopark won 7-0
Under-16A: Menlopark won 36-3
Under-16B: Menlopark won 17-5
Under-15A: Menlopark won 56-0
Under-15B: Menlopark won 26-0
Under-15C: Menlopark won 51-0
Under-14A: Menlopark won 59-0
Under-14B: Menlopark won 61-0
Under-14C: Menlopark won 36-0
By Louis Buys
